Coast NWR Complex 2127 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 Refuge Review 541-867-4550 www.fws.gov/oregoncoast

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 JANUARY - M A R C H 2 0 1 1 A Marsh is Restored After more than 10 years of The refuge has completed a land acquisition, planning, series of five interpretive pan- design and preparation the Ni- els that cover the history, les'tun Tidal Marsh Restora- ecology, geology and biology tion Project at Bandon Marsh of the marsh and they will be Refuge started construction installed on the viewing deck this past summer. The project by April. The refuge is also is the largest reclamation and maintaining a blog on our re-creation of a tidal marsh Photo by: USFWS website if you want to follow ever attempted in Oregon and tidal marshes on the coast, the details of the restoration. will be completed in the sum- farmers built dikes along the www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ mer of 2011. river decades ago, to keep the bandonmarsh/restoration/ land mostly dry and suitable Consider attending a restora- The 418-acre expanse on the for grazing. The restoration will allow the unimpeded re- tion celebration when the pro- north side of the Coquille ject is completed in the fall of River was once a thriving wet- turn of the daily tides on this 2011. land, home to shorebirds and area for the first time in more salmon smolts alike. But as than a century and plants and they have at countless other animals will start adjusting to the newly restored conditions. What Do You Want Out of Your Refuges? The Refuge Complex has be- wildlife and habitat manage- out of your refuges because gun the Comprehensive Con- ment and public use programs your ideas, insights and obser- servation Planning process for from fresh perspectives. We vations are essential to our Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, need to consider what is work- providing a complete and and Siletz Bay Refuges. Dur- ing well now and where we can thoughtful plan. ing this process we will re- make improvements. view and plan for the long term management of wildlife, The process also involves you! habitat, and wildlife orientated Learn more about planning public use on these refuges. process and how you can get involved at our website As part of the process we have www.fws.gov/oregoncoast. the opportunity to look at our Please tell us what you want Photo by: Roy Lowe Opportunity of a Lifetime Starting this month three new talented people will join our team through our partnership with SEA, two as environmental education interns and one as a biology intern.

Lindsay Raber, Wildlife Education Coordinator, will be based out of Newport. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University. Recently Lind- say was working with the State Parks as an Interpretive Intern and in Eugene assisting the Willamalane Park and Recreation District with after school programs. Lindsay will bring O R E G O N her passion, knowledge and experience in leading the Shorebird Sister Schools Program this year and C O A S T the popular Siletz Bay Canoe/Kayak tours. N A T I O N A L W I L D L I F E Bethany Ricks, Wildlife Education Specialist, will be the Bandon intern. She holds a Bachelor of Arts R E F U G E degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from the Bethel University. She has experience with inter- COMPLEX preting marine environments and working with animals. With her environmental education and animal handling experience Bethany is a perfect fit to be working with the Free Flight Wildlife Rehabilitation Center outreach and education program and helping with the Shorebird Sister School Program.

Ben Wishnek, Wildlife Specialist Intern, will be based in Bandon. He comes to us just finishing a series of two AmeriCorps stints that both involved working on habitat restoration projects. Before that he completed his B.S. in Wildlife at Humboldt State in May 2009. Ben will use his skills and knowledge in field research, habitat improvement projects, and public outreach., while performing regular bird sur- veys and getting new herp and small mammal inventories going.

Please welcome all three of our interns to the Oregon coast! Meet Our Friends Did you know the Oregon Coast ing minds to the magic of Hay- Shoreline Education for NWR Complex has three friends stack Rock through adventure, Awareness Inc., or SEA, was groups who help support our mis- exploration and discovery. founded in Bandon in 1990. The sions and goals? Here’s a little www.friendsofhaystackrock.org all-volunteer organization has about each group. grown in influence and support, The Friends of Cape Meares reaching 10,000 visitors annu- The Friends of Haystack Rock Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge, ally. Their mission is to improve is based in Cannon Beach and Inc. is group of dedicated people stewardship of our coastal areas was established in 2004 to sup- who care about the natural beauty by providing educational oppor- port the work of the Haystack of Cape Meares State Scenic tunities to the public to increase Rock Awareness Program Viewpoint, the historic Cape their awareness and knowledge (HRAP). HRAP is a 25-year old Meares Lighthouse, and Cape of the shoreline habitats and interpretation and education pro- Meares Refuge. They formed to wildlife along the southern Ore- gram that was created in response provide and support the educa- gon coast. SEA has an office on to increased negative human im- tional and interpretive services of Bandon Marsh Refuge and work pact to the rocky intertidal inver- the park and refuge and rely in partnership with refuge staff to tebrates and nesting seabirds of heavily on volunteer support in recruit and place interpretive do- Haystack Rock. The Friends of all areas of operation. The cents to interact with visitors Haystack Rock’s mission is to Friends of Cape Meares Light- from April through September at protect, through education, the house and Wildlife Refuge oper- both Simpson Reef Overlook and intertidal and bird life of the Ma- ate an interpretive gift shop in the Coquille Point. www.sea-edu.org rine Garden and Oregon Islands previous work room of the light- National Wildlife Refuge at Hay- house. Donations and proceeds Look to future newsletters to find stack Rock. The group is guided from the Interpretive Shop are out about what each group has by a volunteer board of directors used to enhance the refuge and been doing this year. and advisors, who are committed the state scenic viewpoint. to fostering stewardship by open- www.capemeareslighthouse.org

Contributions to the newsletter are welcome! Please contact Jennifer Winston at 541-867-4550 or [email protected].